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Canisius University
Canisius University says yes to 72.4% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $60,681 median earnings.
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Canisius University sits in Buffalo proper — a private campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it. The school maintains its Roman Catholic affiliation, which threads through campus life to a degree that varies by program.
Its highest-earning path is Accounting and Related Services, where graduates median $82,563 four years out. 32.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. With 1,685 undergraduates and a residential core, weekends happen on campus — and 72.6% of first-years come back for a second year.
Canisius University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, Canisius University received 4,147 applications and admitted 3,391 (81.8%), with 424 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. Canisius University's 72.4% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How Canisius University compares
| Canisius University | New York median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 72.4% | 70.1% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $34,500 | $17,408 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $60,681 | $60,236 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors Canisius University: $60,681 median at year ten, versus $60,236 across New York institutions.
Cost, size & completion
Tuition runs $34,500 regardless of where you're from. At Canisius University, that sticker is a starting point for aid talks — not what the median family pays.
Enrollment sits at 1,685 — Canisius University is one of the smaller campuses on this site.
66.4% graduate within six years. Roughly 34% don't — ask a Canisius University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Top majors by earnings at Canisius University
| Bachelor's program | Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion |
|---|---|
| Accounting and Related Services | $82,563 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $70,001 |
| Marketing | $66,256 |
| Economics | $65,757 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $62,955 |
| Political Science and Government | $62,398 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $60,674 |
| Sociology | $58,469 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $57,036 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $54,529 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $51,532 |
| Human Services, General | $51,522 |
| Biology, General | $48,104 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $45,233 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,180 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | $40,174 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $39,148 |
Median earnings for these 17 Canisius University programs come from a different federal cohort than the campus-wide $60,681 above — compare rows to each other, not to that 10-year figure. 33 additional Canisius University programs have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for Canisius University?
Canisius University doesn't look at test scores; its 72.4% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is Canisius University's acceptance rate?
81.8% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 3,391 admitted from 4,147 applicants.
How much does Canisius University cost?
At Canisius University, published tuition is $34,500 — net price after aid usually comes in lower. That number is Canisius University's ceiling, not a quote.
What do Canisius University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $60,681 ten years after enrolling. The table above breaks this down by major.
Similar colleges in New York
- Clarkson University — 77.4% admitted
- Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse Hospital — 77.8% admitted
- Associated Beth Rivkah Schools — 84.1% admitted
- CUNY City College — 60% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.